Brailsford family updates

 Unfortunately Mark and I have both had positive lateral flow tests. Mark before the weekend, and me today. On the positive side, so far neither of us have felt that poorly. Itchy throats and that's about it, I've been more tired than usual but that could also be ongoing medication/treatment side effects. The other positive is that with the extra time at home we've had more time together without a child than we would normally get, being able to fun things like play board games when we have the brain capacity and have a conversation where you don't have to watch what you're saying as there are small child ears that miss nothing wigging around. On the not so positive front today we had to cancel a foot care appointment to sort out a couple of funny toe nails that they want dealing with before the next stages and an acupuncture and relaxation session I'd been gifted. This can easily be rearranged, but we where already on about the third arranged appointment what wi...

Which one to start with. Let's start with the good, hadn't the sunshine been so good to see, making everything so bright. The daffodils I see seem to shine brighter in the sun. There is a house I pass regularly with daffodils lining the path to the front door, even I see them they just make me think, happy, cheerful. And so onto the pretty. Aren't the spring flowers coming out just so pretty. Magnolias are my very favourite. I never want a magnolia as the clear up when they drop their petals would be easy to much. But they are so pretty, even in bud. We generally keep flowers out of the house thanks to hayfever. The bed isn't so bad, I was just reflecting yesterday on the state of our pavements. Between ironworks, tree root damage, wonky paving slabs, pot holes, bits of stick and the angle of driveways. As good as the scooter is and as thankful as I am for it. I felt all of these, and my back continues to feel them today. Another bad is Mark testing positive last night,...

So we're just back from seeing the doctor at the hospital. The scan  shows no difference in the size of the tumors. They want to wait until I'm a bit more well and then will start me on a six month course of chemo, with a cycle of five days off tablets. 25 days off. This will be a stronger tablet than I had before. 

 This will probably be a bit rambly, I don't really know what I've come here to say but thought it had been a while so should maybe have a little update. I had my follow up MRI last Saturday. Thankfully the scan itself wasn't too traumatic. They had to inject a contrast dye at one point but the poor radiographer couldn't get in my veins very well, so that became painful and I was left with lots of bruises. They always struggle to get needles into me, even the phlebotomists. We were sat waiting for quite a while for the appointment. I never understand why they don't get someone more expert to put a line in while you wait. When I've been staying in hospital and gone for a scan one of the things they have to do before you can go is make sure you have a canula. We gett the scan results tomorrow so will find out what effect the treatment I've had has had and will find out if anymore treatment is required. I'm still fairly heavily feeling the side effects of t...

We have very generously been gifted s mobility scooter, so I am now independently mobile! The timing is perfect as it means I can get Zeb to some of his half term activities. Mark is really busy at work this half term. Sometimes he ma manages to take bits of time off for dad and lad time or to help me out with getting Zeb out and about as we tend to book a few activities in in the holidays. The local council here run a scheme in the holidays where they have free activities it you sign up to their free fitness card well out course we've had Zeb signed up from as young as he could be,v free is our favourite price and every holiday since he's had fun doing things like football training. Trampolining, tennis, roller skating, athletics and I've found it handy for him to try out new things thatbi wouldn't necessarily want to pay for in case he didn't like it or decided not to do the whole session. Martial arts in the morning mark can get us there in the morning but u thin...

I'm not going to publish to the internet the actual dates of hospital appointments I have coming up, even my muddled brain can think that. But by the end of next month I will have seen the community physios to try and get some strength back in my legs. They are doing better than they were but I could do with some exercises to get them stronger. I have a check up booked at the GP,'s it turns out they do s cancer care support appointment just to check in and make sure you're doing ok and funny need any more support. I have an MRI booked so they can hire effective my treatment has been, which is followed s few days later by seeing my consultant to find out next steps.  For now, in in the 7-14 days post treatment where side effects are meant to be attending worst. I'm struggling with tiredness and nausea, but recognise that it could be much worse so an grateful that so far it hasn't been. God is good.  Zebs class held s science of fair this week that we were and to atte...

So we're home from our little family holiday at centre parcs. I wont give you a blue by blow account but safe to say pottery had been painted, walls climbed, teddy bear stuffed and sewn up, pool balls potted, water swam in, crazy golf golfed, pins knocked down, wildlife watched, lake boated over, tea drunk. pancakes and waffles eaten, winter light trail explored, time spent with family. We decided to hire an electric scooter and it made such a difference to how much I could join in with, and on Mark as he didn't have to push me in the chair quite so much, meaning he had more energy too to enjoy other things. We are now starting to consider if we get one for me use generally. The independence it gave me was fabulous, which also boosted my mental health. So we're thinking of I can manage to get myself to little Tesco for example if we need milk, I'll feel like I've met us contribution and Mark have to think when a trip to the shop fits in his day. We'll also be ab...